September 19, 2013, 8:32PM

09/19/2013

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A Sonoma State University alumnus is heading a project to understand public opinion on climate change, especially in the United States and China, the world's two largest carbon-emitting countries by volume.

"Despite the very different social and political cultures ... public opinion on this issue will undoubtedly play a role in how climate change policy and action unfolds in both countries and internationally," said Eric Jamelske, now an associate economics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Jamelske, who is in China for the fall academic semester, is partnering with SSU faculty on the project.

The research team is surveying North Bay residents aged 28 and over, while at the same time gathering information in four Chinese cities: Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Xian.

Survey postcards have been sent to random residents in the North Bay — one of four U.S. sites being studied — and opinion is also being solicited to supplement that data through web-based surveys.